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Mother helped run Oxford brothel
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| Elaine Konopka |
A BROTHEL in a quiet Oxford street was run so professionally it was "like a restaurant", a court heard today.
Mother-of-two Elaine Konopka, 39, admitted helping run the brothel in Middle Way, Summertown.
Oxford Magistrates' Court heard the brothel offered clients menus of services and was run in a highly professional manner.
Police closed the brothel during a raid last November.
Sarah Mackay, prosecuting, said officers found four women downstairs - three in only their underwear - and a man in an upstairs bedroom who admitted having paid for sex.
She added Konopka was found fully dressed downstairs. There was no suggestion she had been involved in any sexual activity herself.
Ms Mackay said: "On the coffee table was a daily worksheet which detailed the customers which had visited.
"There was also a laminated menu detailing the services available.
"Konopka admitted working at the address on approximately ten occasions over an 18-month period. She said she was responsible for answering phones, making appointments and greeting customers."
Martin Bourne, defending, said Konopka, of Wolsey Road, Cutteslowe, was the sole carer of two children.
He said: "The youngest, a boy, has significant psychological problems, which have not made it possible for her to be in full-time education or work.
"She was not a part-time receptionist, she was a fill-in receptionist. The brothel was open from 10am to 10pm seven days a week.
"The business was operated in a highly-efficient, business-like fashion. Details were kept on the number of visitors, money taken and at the end of the day the proceeds taken by the prostitutes would be accounted for.
"She was helping out, rather than it just being a commercial arrangement. The way the establishment was run was in such a way as to avoid the exploitation of women and the associated health risks.
"Women would go to a clinic every three months and come back with a certificate."
He said clients would pay the prostitutes directly, with the brothel taking a £20 or £30 cut.
And he added Konopka believed police had known about what was going at the premises for some time, but had turned a blind eye.
Konopka admitted assisting in the management of a brothel between May and October last year.
District judge Brian Loosley looked at the brothel's menu, which had services ranging from £50-£140, while considering the sentence.
Ordering her to carry out 60 hours' unpaid community work and pay £100 costs, he said: "It is quite clear this was run almost like a restaurant, with menus and various services being offered.
"You went into this with your eyes open and knew from day one what was going on."
Neighbours tonight said they were pleased the brothel had been closed.
One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said she thought Konopka's sentence was too lenient.
She said: "I think it is disgusting she only got 60 hours' community service.
"It is so nice not having so many strange men going in there. It was really unpleasant. It certainly attracted all sorts of men - not very nice people at all.
"Some had children's car seats in the back. You just felt upset for the wives."
Another neighbour added: "I did not realise what was going on - I was amazed."
Annabel Wise, of Church Road, Milton-under-Wychwood, also appeared at Oxford Magistrates' Court today accused of keeping a brothel at 28 Middle Way, Summertown, Oxford, between last April and November.
The 36-year-old also faces another charge of producing cannabis and two of possessing cannabis. Her case was adjourned until Monday, February 11.
7:15pm Tuesday 22nd January 2008
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CommentPosted by: Warrior on 5:05pm Tue 22 Jan 08
I can't see why this woman is being punished. She was simply running a good business which offered valuable services to people of the city.
I can't see why this woman is being punished. She was simply running a good business which offered valuable services to people of the city.
Posted by: Cynical on 5:58pm Tue 22 Jan 08
[italic]'Konopka, of Wolsey Road, Oxford...'[/italic]
Strange- I thought 'Konopka' was a Polish name- not that I'd want to link the recent mass immigration of Eastern Europeans with an increase in sex trafficking and brothels.
It would be nice to have the [bold]FULL[/bold] facts rather than the propoganda about 'diversity' and 'enrichment' wouldn't it?
'Konopka, of Wolsey Road, Oxford...'
Strange- I thought 'Konopka' was a Polish name- not that I'd want to link the recent mass immigration of Eastern Europeans with an increase in sex trafficking and brothels.
It would be nice to have the
FULL facts rather than the propoganda about 'diversity' and 'enrichment' wouldn't it?
Posted by: ceri, oxford on 8:01pm Tue 22 Jan 08
There are 2 points to consider here and one is -what about the neighbours?? surely no one would want to live next door to this. But then there is the other side to it i suppose.....that if she's supplying sex to men then the old perverts on not raping out on the streets or even worse abusing children. Sometimes you really have to wonder.........
There are 2 points to consider here and one is -what about the neighbours?? surely no one would want to live next door to this. But then there is the other side to it i suppose.....that if she's supplying sex to men then the old perverts on not raping out on the streets or even worse abusing children. Sometimes you really have to wonder.........
Posted by: jd, oxford on 6:58am Wed 23 Jan 08
Ceri - that has to be the stupidest thing I ever heard - I quote"that if she's supplying sex to men then the old perverts on not raping out on the streets or even worse abusing children. Sometimes you really have to wonder........."
Just because a man wants sex does not mean that he will go out and rape somebody or abusing a child - what a horrible thing to say or even think. The kind of people who do that are not generally the type of people whose urges would be fixed by visiting a brothel...
Ceri - that has to be the stupidest thing I ever heard - I quote"that if she's supplying sex to men then the old perverts on not raping out on the streets or even worse abusing children. Sometimes you really have to wonder........."
Just because a man wants sex does not mean that he will go out and rape somebody or abusing a child - what a horrible thing to say or even think. The kind of people who do that are not generally the type of people whose urges would be fixed by visiting a brothel...
Posted by: ArthurD, Oxford on 7:50am Wed 23 Jan 08
Hmm. What gets me is that the Papers that report this sordid little tale, still take advertising revenue from Massage Parlours and Escorts in their classified, thus encouraging this sort of stuff.....now lets face it, they are not offering a foot massage and a cup of tea and digestives, are they. Sort your own house out before becoming all high and might.
Hmm. What gets me is that the Papers that report this sordid little tale, still take advertising revenue from Massage Parlours and Escorts in their classified, thus encouraging this sort of stuff.....now lets face it, they are not offering a foot massage and a cup of tea and digestives, are they. Sort your own house out before becoming all high and might.
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